Leafs deal Potvin to Isles for Berard
Posted: Saturday January 09, 1999 10:11 PM
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Potvin posted a 3-2 record with a 3.81 goals-against average for Toronto Steve Babineau/Allsport |
TORONTO (AP) -- Goaltender Felix Potvin, who had left the Toronto Maple Leafs on
Dec. 2 awaiting a trade, finally got his wish Saturday when he was dealt to
the New York Islanders
for defenseman Bryan Berard.
The teams also swapped sixth-round picks in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Potvin, who had been at home in Montreal waiting for a deal,
immediately joined the Islanders and backed up Tommy Salo in Montreal on
Saturday.
"I'm real happy, it's a relief to finally be able to wear another
uniform and I'm really looking forward to playing," Potvin said. "I'm
certainly real happy to go there. It's been very hard for six months but
you know, today is like a second start to my career."
Potvin was Toronto's No. 1 goalie for five seasons, twice helping the
Maple Leafs to the Western Conference finals, but was bumped to a backup
role when Curtis Joseph signed a four-year, $24-million contract in July.
Potvin started only five of the Maple Leafs' first 25 games this
season, posting a 3-2 record with a goals-against average of 3.81.
| Our take on the trade |
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For those wondering what the heck Mike Milbury is thinking, the answer is
current Islanders goalie Tommy Salo.
Milbury and Salo have never jived, a conflict that dates back to Milbury's
first coaching stint from July 5, 1995 to Jan. 23, 1997. Milbury didn't
exhibit much patience with a young goalie, and Salo spent most of the
1994-95, and '95-96 seasons starring in the IHL. He emerged as the
Islanders' starter halfway through the '96-97 season, but the team
struggled in front of him, and fellow goalie Eric Fichaud, now with
Nashville, a trend that continued last season.
Salo expressed public reservations when Milbury fired Rick Bowness and
returned to the bench last year, and the Swedish goalie hasn't
distinguished himself since. Entering Saturday's game against Montreal, he
didn't rank among the league's top 20 goalies in goals-against average --
his was 2.53, with a 12-17-2 record through 31 games -- and although his
save percentage, .902, ranked seventh, Milbury hasn't shyed from a quick
hook.
Acquiring Potvin and signing top 1997 draft pick Roberto Luongo on
Saturday gave Milbury the comfort zone that he required to unload Salo. As
for sacrificing the 21-year-old Berard, a former Calder Trophy winner,
Milbury acknowledged throwing dice, but evidently preferred to extract a
larger thorn. | | | |
"Toronto is a great city and I enjoyed six years of my career and I
have great memories," Potvin said. "It's too bad that this year gave me a
sour taste in my mouth but I'd rather remember the first six years and all
the fun I had there and all the great teammates I had."
Berard, who won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in
1996-97, has four goals and 11 assists in 31 games this season. His skill
on the blue line should help Toronto's power play.
"I'm excited to go to a team like Toronto with a great tradition and
they are playing great," Berard said in Montreal. "I'm really looking
forward to it."
The offensively gifted defenseman's style of play didn't mix well with
defense-oriented Islanders.
"This is a good young player and there were certain things that we saw
and certain flaws that we tried to address and correct," Islanders general
manager Mike Milbury said. "Some we had success with and others we didn't.
Perhaps Toronto will have more success with Bryan.
"He did come a long way defensively maybe at the expense of his
offense. Maybe they'll find the right blend in Toronto."
Berard was taken first overall in the 1995 draft by Ottawa but never
signed with the Senators. In January 1996, the Islanders acquired him in a
three-team deal involving Ottawa and Toronto.
Berard, who has been sidelined recently with a groin injury, was to
fly into Toronto on Saturday night.
"I'm hoping it's only four or five more days," Berard said. "I'm
scheduled to play Wednesday."
In Potvin, the Islanders hope they have solved their goaltending woes.
Salo has been inconsistent and the Islanders will look for Potvin to
provide stability.
"We're looking forward to have Felix jump-start our team to a winning
record like we had in the beginning of the season," Islanders assistant
coach Wayne Fleming said.
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